Written By Katy [Copyright 2009]

When Nallah, a pro designer in the making starts Middle school, her whole social life gets pounced on by the school bully. When she takes on the challenge of sewing costumes for the school play, her talent is finally recognized, and her social status climbs. But will it be too much for Nallah to handle?


Tuesday, June 9, 2009

Chapter 9

Chapter 9 - On Cloud Nine

Glancing at my pink Baby G watch I sighed and lightly tapped the toe of my sequin ballet flats on a near by desk. The Home Economics room was oddly quiet, except for my echoing shoes. I was patiently waiting for Mrs. Flor, the one in charge of the school production, with only the company of three others. One girl, jolly and round sat on top of a rusted filing cabinet twirling her hair into french braids. The other two, no doubtingly twins, were sitting indian style on the tile playing some kind of card game. Thankfully, I hadn't seen Kami yet. I half-hoped that she wouldn't show, but I knew that could mean violating the deal we had with Mrs. Bleu, and even Kami Boyd wouldn't risk a drop of ink on her permanant record.
The door was pushed open with a jolt, and in came Mrs. Flor followed by Kami, who crossed her arms across her chest and sat on a diner chair prop near the window.
"Good Afternoon." Mrs. Flor announced with a deep bow.
"Good Afternoon Mrs. Flor." We echoed back lazily.
"As you all know, you are all a part of the school production in a very special way. The Costumes are one of the most important elements of theater, other than the actors and actresses that is."
She Chuckled, and evened out a stack of papers.
"Can anyone tell us the theme of our production this year?" Mrs. Flor asked, raising our eyebrows.
The room was silent except for the ticking clock hanging over the door.
Mrs. Flor sensed the laziness, and decided to answer herself. "Imagine yourself at the foot of a young child's bookshelf, titles like "Humpty Dumpty", and "Pinnochio" are among the stacks. Our brilliant cast will be "trapped in the bookshelf", the scenes will be vibrant and decorated, and the costumes," she paused and spread her arms wide, "will be the most elegant".
Someone pretended to snore from the corner of the room, most likely Kami.
I could picture it in my head. Beautiful gowns with miniature bows and spools of lace for Cinderella's ballgown, Poofy, glittery tutus for the sugarplum fairies in The Nutcracker...
"Ms. Richardson?" Mrs. Flor called suddenly.
"Uhh, Yea?" I answered.
"I just asked the class if they had any ideas on costumes for "Pippy Longstocking.""
My mouth seemed to flow like a river.
Mrs. Flor's eyes wandered like she was picturing the designs I envisioned.
"That is brilliant!" she exclaimed, clasping her hands together. "I never would have thought of those details to Cinderella's Ballgown!"
I had a feeling this wouldn't be as bad as detentions generally are.

Thursday, June 4, 2009

Chapter 8

Chapter 8 - All's well Ends well

Unless you count 1st grade in Indiana, when I accidently kicked Emily Jones at Nap time, this was my first visit to the principals office. But, this office didn't have finger painted pictures hung on the walls, and Elmo wallpaper. Instead, it felt like I was locked up in a prison cell. Iron bars were clamped to the only window, and the metal chairs that we were required to sit in were cold, and slippery. The only cheerful thing about this room was my friend, Mehgan who sat next to me, and unusually, she wasn't even smiling. Next to her, were Klaire, Kami, and Kara. At the moment, Kami was trying to rub hardened glue off of her forehead. She looked up and glared at me, pretending to slip her throat with a manicured index finger.
Luckily, at that very moment, Mrs. Bleu decided to make her grand entrance, and with her came a gust of lavender scented perfume. She sat at her big oak desk, and tucked a spare lock of grey hair behind her ear.
"Ladies." she said, adjusting her reading glasses. "It says here that your teacher, Mrs. Cho, accuses you of 'Making a huge mess of art supplies, and physically and verbally attacking each other with them'"
Kami coughed.
"Is this true?" Mrs. Bleu croaked.
The room went silent.
"Kara?"
"Uh, yea." Kara peeped.
"But- Nallah and Mehgan started it!" Kami added defensively.
"Liar!" I heard myself shout.
"You think I'm lying?!"
"Silence!" Mrs. Bleu commanded, pounding her fist on the table.
"Sorry." I replied.
"Obviously there will be a punishment for this kind of behavior." She began. "What you ladies have done, might just end up on your permanant record."
"No!" Mehgan shouted, leaping out of her seat. "My mom would kill me!"
"Miss Anderson!"
"Sorry" she murmured.
"As I was saying..." she paused and leafed through a stack of papers. "You will have two options." she smiled deviously.
Sweat prickled down my back, and I shifted in my seat.
"But- I will be choosing those two options."
Kami groaned.
"Is she serious?" Klaire whispered.
"Kami and Nallah, you both will participate in the school production."
Kami turned three shades of red. "But I can't act!" she complained.
"Me either." I said.
"I figured you'd say that. I went ahead and signed you up for the constructing of the costumes. We are a little shorthanded."
I relaxed a bit.
"But-" Kami began.
"No Buts!" Mrs. Bleu said.
"Klaire, Kara, and Mehgan," she scribbled something down onto a sticky note. "You will be assigned to the Chess club."
Klaire and Kara groaned in unison.
Mehgan just shrugged.
"It could be worse." she mouthed.
"Did I mention that all clubs begin tomorrow afterschool?" Mrs. Bleu said cheerfully.
Four people sighed. One person was content.